In a legal decision made on March 11, 2025, the court; Dawaki Customary court ruled by Justice Adlin Achoru, in favor of Tunde Ayeni, stating that no marriage ever existed between him and Adaobi Alagwu. This ruling effectively dismissed all counterclaims brought forth by Alagwu. The case, initiated on February 26, 2025, centered on a supposed marriage, which Ayeni argued was non existent. He maintained that the payments he was made to make before the child was birthed was intended for the child and were made after much pressure and persuation from Adaobi’s father to avoid customary consequences and to allow the child bear Ayeni’s name when he thought the child was his.
Ayeni further asserted that his existing marriage to Mrs. Abiola Ayeni, established under the Marriage Act, invalidated any claims of a marital relationship with Alagwu.
Ayeni, as the petitioner, provided evidence of his legal marriage to Mrs. Abiola Ayeni since 1994, clarifying that the payment made were not for a marriage but were to support a child he initially believed to be his.
The court determined that Alagwu’s assertions lacked merit, referencing specific statutory limitations outlined in the Marriage Act. Despite Adaobi’s claims of jurisdictional limitations, the court assumed jurisdiction by clarifying that the dispute was not between Ayeni and his wife, but rather a direct matter between Tunde Ayeni and Adaobi Alagwu. Furthermore, since Adaobi had acknowledged that the monies paid which she claimed was a supposed dowry in her court fillings had been returned according to customary native law, she could not subsequently claim lack of jurisdiction .
At the hearing , Ayeni’s attorney, Joseph Silas, highlighted that after Ayeni ceased the monthly financial support he had been providing to Adaobi and requested her to vacate the property entrusted to her, she resorted to tactics of blackmail which eventually led to this suit.
In summary, the court confirmed that no marriage ever existed between Tunde Ayeni and Adaobi Alagwu, leading to the rejection of all claims made by Ms Alagwu.